WOW! Tour - BETWEEN FRIENDS

Between Friends Leave the Crowd Saying One Thing: WOW!

Jasmine Gutz

If the name BETWEEN FRIENDS sounds familiar, you might have seen their performance at Spring Jam 2023. The sibling duo, Savannah and Brandon Hudson, first gained recognition as quarter finalists on “America’s Got Talent.” Since then, they’ve pursued a career under the name BETWEEN FRIENDS, officially forming in 2017 and releasing their debut EP in 2018. Their song “Affection” helped them rise in popularity, introducing listeners to their signature blend of alternative pop, indie, electronic, and R&B influences. Their sound is laid-back and atmospheric with an experimental edge, a good match for fans of artists like Clairo, Tame Impala, or Dayglow.

Their current WOW! Tour represents a significant milestone in their career as they step into the spotlight as headliners after opening for artists like Conan Gray. Their visual branding is just as intentional as their music, where they embrace a bold, quirky, and playful “bad design” style. Their website reflects this with a simple, nostalgic nod to 1990s internet design, using basic HTML and hyperlinks. The visual mix of ’80s and ’90s styles with modern pop art creates a fresh yet nostalgic identity. At the show, their outfits were on brand: Savannah wore a blue bralette and mini skirt with black cut-out stockings, a variation of looks seen earlier in the tour. Brandon kept it simple in a white merch tee and a fur-lined jacket.

WOW! bursts with energetic indie-pop and dance tracks. Some of my personal favorites are “XD,” “You & Me Time,” and “Very Nice," each delivering strong beats, dreamy synth layers, and catchy melodies. The album strikes a nice balance, keeping a cohesive sound without the songs feeling too similar. A highlight is hearing more of Brandon’s vocals, which blend beautifully with Savannah’s for warm, balanced harmonies. Here’s to a future where Brandon’s voice pops up as often as ads on a free app.

I saw them live at Varsity Theater in Dinkytown, joined by my roommate, Flor, who was new to their music. The set-up was simple, relying heavily on lighting and visuals that transformed the venue into what felt like a nightclub. Multiple cameras circled the stage, capturing grainy, VHS-style footage that lent the performance a raw, immersive energy. Close-up shots, including some taken backstage, added a spontaneous, behind-the-scenes element that made the experience feel personal and dynamic.

They delivered a mesmerizing performance, with vocals as spot-on as their recordings and full of raw emotion. Some tracks were remixed with boosted bass for a clubby energy, and they performed every song from WOW! plus a few older favorites. They were clearly having a blast—dancing, vibing, and connecting with their music in a way that pulled everyone in. Savannah had a solo moment to dance, radiating power and commanding the stage, while Brandon joined the crowd for a quick sing-along. All night, they hyped up the audience, feeding off the excitement. Near the end, they shouted out Minneapolis, blew kisses, and thanked fans with genuine warmth. They also noticed the handmade signs people brought and grabbed a few phones from the front row to record themselves singing. Together, they brought beautifully complementary energies: Savannah’s animated charisma perfectly balanced by Brandon’s grounded presence.

Looking around, the crowd was singing and dancing along with the duo’s energy throughout the show (Flor and I included). Savannah moved easily across the right side of the stage, while Brandon, ever grounded, stayed mostly on the left, my view of him limited. In such a lively concert, his stillness felt a little isolating for parts of the crowd. I’d love to see him move around more. Despite that, one of the best moments came when Brandon took over a DJ set and mixed a few tracks live. They ended the night with “DJ,” a tasteful choice as their lyrics, “Hey DJ, what's the drama? I've been waiting for my song to come” rang through the room. It created a shared moment of anticipation between the band and the crowd, as we had all been waiting for this song to play.

BETWEEN FRIENDS delivered an engaging performance that stayed true to their creative vision. From their evolving sound to their aesthetic choices, the WOW! Tour proves they’re no longer just openers, they’re headliners with a clear sense of who they are and where they’re headed.